“Just fall in love, people.”

Big Brother host Julie Chen Moonves says showmance couple Rome and Lyric should choose heart over game

“Just fall in love, people.”

By Dalton Ross

Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. *Survivor* is kind of his thing.

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on July 15, 2026 2:28 p.m. ET

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Rome Seymour and Lyric Medeiros on ‘Big Brother’ season 28. Credit:

When it comes to *Big Brother*, there is playing the game and there is *having* game. And many will tell you that never the two should meet. Showmances in the *Big Brother* house have brought down many a couple, as a strong voting bloc of two is seen as too dangerous a force to be left standing.

Yet that did not stop Rome Seymour and Lyric Medeiros form breaking the reality TV land speed record for showmances when the two swapped spit and shared a sleepover just days into the current 28th season of *Big Brother.*

Did Lyric and Rome — whose real name is Jack but for some reason calls himself Rome — torpedo their games by engaging in some very obvious snuggle time right in front of the other houseguests? And is this, in fact, the fastest showmance in *Big Brother* history?

“I think you’re right,” says host Julie Chen Moonves, who then reaches into her *Big Brother* mental rolodex to pull out some historical precedent.

Julie Chen Moonves and the cast of ‘Big Brother’ season 28.

Matthew Taplinger/cbs

“What you may or may not remember is that we didn’t have any, um, *relations*, if you will, in the house until season 4. There was no sex in the house till season 4. Now it’s a different story. So the fact that day two, there wasn’t sex — but there was kissing. There was a showmance. I see two people falling in love.”

While some fans may criticize the pair for potentially torpedoing their own games by coupling up so early, Chen Moonves is not one of them. “I love love. I’m very supportive because, it’s like Mike Tyson says: ‘Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face.’ Lyric had a plan to not be in a showmance, but to take home $750,000.”

But as the Chenbot points out: “You can’t fight chemistry. You cannot control who you fall in love with. And I think that showed on day two in the *Big Brother* House. It’s a record. See! Expect the unexpected, people!”

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Not all showmances end in game-related despair. Jordan Lloyd won *Big Brother 11* even after being in a showmance with now-husband Jeff Schroeder. Rachel Reilly did the same on season 13 while being in a pair with now-husband Brendon Villegas. Meanwhile, over on *Survivor*, Amber Brkich won the *All-Stars* season after engaging in the most famous reality TV showmance ever with now-husband Boston Rob Mariano. (Moral of the story: Be the woman in the showmance, not the man).

Still, it’s a dangerous game to play, especially if you want to win the *actual game*. Which is why season 3 champ Lisa Donahue wisely voted against having her house boyfriend Eric Ouellette return when she had the chance to be reunited. So how should Lyric and Rome balance matters of the game with matters of the heart on season 28?

“All heart,” says Chen Moonves. “I mean, it’s just a game. When you lead with the heart, you can’t go wrong. This is just the game. Yes, $750,000 is a lot of money, life-changing money. But what really changes your life is if you find your partner for life.”

Julie Chen Moonves and the cast of ‘Big Brother’ season 28.

Matthew Taplinger/cbs

And the show has had multiple success stories in that department. “We’ve had more marriages than *The Bachelor**!”* notes the host.

“And we’ve seen that so many times in the *Big Brother* house,” Chen Moonves continues. “Jeff and Jordan, who didn’t even kiss when they were in the house. Now married, two kids, and he got a broadcasting career out of it. Rachel and Brendon — it’s just so many. So you gotta lead with heart. A game is just a game. Just fall in love, people.”

Plus, the host notes that there’s now easily a way for a player to have it both ways.

“By the way, [with the] time machine, you can play next year!

***Want to be kept up with all things Survivor? Dig deep and sign up for ’s ******free Survivor Weekly newsletter****** to have all the latest news, interviews, and commentary sent right to your inbox. ***

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